Hadith #1539

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he mentions four actions that have the power to attract the love and affection of people. Let us delve into the meanings of these actions and explore their significance in light of the Quran.

The first action mentioned is "smiling with cheerfulness" or "tilaqatul wajhi bilbishr" in Arabic. Smiling is a simple yet powerful gesture that can have a profound impact on our interactions with others. It is a universal language of kindness and warmth. The Quran encourages believers to be kind and compassionate towards one another, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames.

The second action mentioned is "practicing benevolence" or "al-'atiyyah" in Arabic. Benevolence refers to acts of kindness, generosity, and charity. It encompasses helping others, giving to those in need, and selflessly serving the community. The Quran emphasizes the importance of benevolence in numerous verses, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

The third action mentioned is "performing righteous actions" or "fi'l al-birr" in Arabic. Righteous actions refer to acts of piety, obedience to Allah, and fulfilling one's duties towards Him and His creation. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of righteousness and good deeds. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:277), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give zakah will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

The fourth action mentioned is "bestowing greetings" or "bazl at-tahiyyah" in Arabic. Greeting others with peace and kindness is a fundamental aspect of Islamic etiquette. It fosters a sense of unity, respect, and harmony among individuals. The Quran encourages Muslims to greet one another with peace, as Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nisa (4:86),

And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that by practicing these four actions - smiling with cheerfulness, practicing benevolence, performing righteous actions, and bestowing greetings - we can attract the love and affection of people. These actions reflect the noble qualities of the believers and serve as a means to spread love, compassion, and unity in society.

By smiling with cheerfulness, we create a positive atmosphere and uplift the spirits of those around us. By practicing benevolence, we demonstrate selflessness and generosity, which inspire others to do the same. By performing righteous actions, we manifest our faith and devotion to Allah, setting an example for others to follow. And by bestowing greetings, we promote peace and harmony, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among Muslims.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of simple yet profound actions that have the power to attract the love and affection of people. By incorporating these actions into our daily lives, we can create a positive impact on those around us and contribute to the betterment of society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to practice these actions and earn the love and affection of our fellow Muslims.